Seek help with your finances ahead of retirement

People are advised to take control of their finances to secure their retirement income and ensure that they don’t suffer a massive shortfall.

Research from national Citizens Advice confirms that people aren’t thinking about their pension options in isolation.

One in four people who have had a Pension Wise appointment delivered by Citizens Advice England and Wales sought help from the organisation on wider financial issues including: benefits and tax credits (42%), financial capability including help managing money (29%), debt (14%) and employment (4%)

Chloe Small, who is chief officer at Derbyshire Districts Citizens Advice, said: “Naturally, when people start to think about what to do with their pension it can prompt them to consider other aspects of their finances too. For example, they often consider how the choices they make might affect the tax they pay, or any debt they may have.

“A Pension Wise appointment can help make some of these things clearer, and signposts people to other useful relevant sources of information.

“At Derbyshire Districts Citizens Advice we can help people make sense of the pensions world and signpost them to any extra guidance they may need to help make their decision easier.

“We encourage those aged 50 and over, who have a defined contribution pension pot, to book a free Pension Wise appointment.”